Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole: A Comforting Weeknight Delight

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray or butter and set aside.

Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the beef and set aside.

Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic powder and paprika, stirring to combine. Cook for another minute to let the spices bloom.

Combine the Ingredients: Add the ground beef back into the skillet with the onion mixture. Stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.

Assemble the Casserole: Pour the beef and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.

Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the casserole.

Finish Baking: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Scoop out portions and enjoy this cheesy, savory delight!

Serving and Storage Tips: